TB Screening Improves Preventive Therapy Uptake Trial (TB-SCRIPT)
Study Period: November 2020- March 2025
Overview
Tb-script is a groundbreaking research initiative to evaluate the clinical impact of Point-of-Care (POC) C-reactive protein (CRP) based TB screening on immediate and longer-term outcomes of individuals living with HIV. This pragmatic single-blinded, randomised-controlled Phase III trial is conducted at four prominent clinics in Kampala, Uganda.
Aims of the trial.
Overall aim: The overall objective of this randomised trial is to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of POC CRP-based TB screening
Specific aims of the trial
Aim 1: Compare the impact of point-of-care C-reactive protein (POC CRP)- vs. symptom-based TB screening on 2-year patient outcomes.
Aim 2: Compare the impact of POC CRP- vs symptom-based TB screening on TB preventive therapy (TBPT) uptake and TB case detection.
Aim 3: Compare cost, cost-effectiveness, and projected epidemiological impact of POC CRP- vs. symptom-based TB screening.
Who is funding the trial?
The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institute of Health, USA funds the trial.
Research outputs.
- Chaisson LH, Semitala FC, Mwebe S, et al. Transaminitis prevalence among HIV-infected adults eligible for tuberculosis preventive therapy. Aids. 2022;36(11):1591-5.
- Semitala FC, Chaisson LH, Dowdy DW, et al. Tuberculosis screening improves preventive therapy uptake (TB SCRIPT) trial among people living with HIV in Uganda: a study protocol of an individual randomised controlled trial. Trials. 2022;23(1):399.
- Chaisson LH, Semitala FC, Nangobi F, et al. Viral suppression among adults with HIV receiving routine dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy and three months’ weekly isoniazid-rifapentine. Aids. 2023;37(7):1097-101.
Further information can be accessed in the protocol at the reference below
Semitala FC, Chaisson LH, Dowdy DW, et al. Tuberculosis screening improves preventive therapy uptake (TB SCRIPT) trial among people living with HIV in Uganda: a study protocol of an individual randomised controlled trial. Trials. 2022;23(1):399.
Study Site: Kawaala KCCA Health Centre IV, Kitebi KCCA Health Centre III, TASO Mulago and Mulago Immune Suppression Syndrome (Mulago ISS Clinic)
Collaborators: University of California San Francisco (UCSF)
Principal Investigators: PI- Joselyn Rwebembera
Study Sponsor: National Heart Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institute of Health (NIH), USA